Need For Extensive Sampling Research Articles

Quantification of Airborne Particulate Matter and Trace Element Deposition on Hedera helix and Senecio cineraria Leaves.

In both developed and developing countries, atmospheric pollution with particulate matter (PM) remains an important issue. Despite the health effects of poor air quality, studies on air pollution are often limited by the high costs of continuous monitoring and the need for extensive sampling. Furthermore, these particles are often enriched with potentially toxic trace elements and organic pollutants. This study evaluates both the composition of atmospheric dust accumulated during a certain timespan on Hedera helix and Senecio cineraria leaves and the potential for their use as bio-monitors. The test plants were positioned near automatic air quality monitoring stations at four different sites with respectively high, moderate and low traffic intensity. The gravimetric deposition of PM10 and PM2.5 on leaves was compared with data recorded by the monitoring stations and related to the weather conditions reported by Argentina's National Meteorological Service. To determine the presence of trace elements enriching the PM deposited on leaves, two analytical techniques were applied: XRF (not destructive) and ICP (destructive). The results indicated that only in the unpaved street location (site 2) did PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations (90 µg m-3 and 9 µg m-3) in the air exceed more than five times WHO guidelines (15 µg m-3 and 5 µg m-3). However, several trace elements were found to be enriching PM deposited on leaves from all sites. Predominantly, increased concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ti, Mn, Zn and Fe were found, which were associated with construction, traffic and unpaved street sources. Furthermore, based on its capability to sequester above 2800 µg cm-2 of PM10, 2450 µg cm-2 of PM2.5 and trace elements, Senecio cineraria can be taken into consideration for adoption as a bio-monitor or even for PM mitigation.

Disentangling the complex alpha taxonomy of Andean populations of Ctenomys (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae) from northern Patagonia: the need for extensive sampling in heterogeneous landscapes

Abstract In the Andean portion of northern Patagonia, populations of Ctenomys are found from low-elevation plains to high-elevation meadows and valleys. Despite their prevalence, the taxonomy of these subterranean rodents remains poorly resolved. Using genetic and morphological data obtained from museum specimens and animals collected in the field, we examined the taxonomy of Ctenomys from southwestern Mendoza Province, Argentina. Our analyses suggest the presence of at least five species of Ctenomys within the study area. The highest, innermost portion of the Andes is occupied by C. maulinus. To the east, the mountains and foothills are inhabited by two forms associated with the “mendocinus” and the “magellanicus” lineages, respectively. The former appears to be a local variant of C. emilianus, while the latter is sister to C. pontifex. Although C. pontifex was not encountered during our field sampling, it remains a valid species that likely is restricted to the isolated Valle Hermoso in westernmost Mendoza Province. In addition, we report an undescribed form from Las Leñas Valley that is associated with the “mendocinus” lineage. This complex alpha taxonomic scenario occurs within less than one degree of latitude, thereby highlighting the need to conduct detailed field collections to improve our knowledge of the systematics of Ctenomys.

Range extension of the Central American Red Brocket, Mazama temama (Kerr, 1792) (Artiodactyla, Cervidae), in Colombia

Mazama temama (Kerr, 1792) is a representative species of the northern Neotropics, but the geographic range limits for this species remain unclear. We report the southernmost record of M. temama from the southwestern Colombian Andes, increasing the previously known range of this species by more than 300 km. We obtained a cytochrome gene sequence (849 bp) which is 95% identical to samples from Mexico. This record raises the need for extensive sampling to obtain more complete information about the distribution of M. temama in northern Colombia.

Benchtop NMR for Online Reaction Monitoring of the Biocatalytic Synthesis of Aromatic Amino Alcohols.

Online analytics provides insights into the progress of an ongoing reaction without the need for extensive sampling and offline analysis. In this study, we investigated benchtop NMR as an online reaction monitoring tool for complex enzyme cascade reactions. Online NMR was used to monitor a two‐step cascade beginning with an aromatic aldehyde and leading to an aromatic amino alcohol as the final product, applying two different enzymes and a variety of co‐substrates and intermediates. Benchtop NMR enabled the concentration of the reaction components to be detected in buffered systems in the single‐digit mM range without using deuterated solvent. The concentrations determined via NMR were correlated with offline samples analyzed via uHPLC and displayed a good correlation between the two methods. In summary, benchtop NMR proved to be a sensitive, selective and reliable method for online reaction monitoring in (multi‐step) biosynthesis. In future, online analytic systems such as the benchtop NMR devices described might not only enable direct monitoring of the reaction, but may also form the basis for self‐regulation in biocatalytic reactions.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology-induced infarction of thyroid nodule hampers diagnosis

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a useful procedure for the investigation of thyroid swellings. It is a safe and minimally invasive procedure but is accompanied by its own set of complications. Infarction of the parent tissue post-FNAC has been reported in the lymph node, salivary gland, and breast but is a rare phenomenon in the thyroid. We present a case of a 34-year-old female with a solitary thyroid nodule. FNAC smears were hypercellular and showed numerous Hurthle cells suggesting a possibility of Hurthle cell neoplasm. Hemithyroidectomy performed 1 month thereafter showed extensive necrosis and hemorrhage with only few atypical follicular epithelial cells and Hurthle cells at the periphery. The near-total infarction and paucity of viable cells made it extremely difficult to make a histopathological diagnosis. The case highlights the need for extensive sampling and thorough examination of the periphery for any viable foci on histopathology along with cytologic-histologic correlation in such cases.

Heterogeneity of the peat profile and its role in unsaturated sodium chloride rise at field and laboratory scales

AbstractResource extraction in Canada's boreal ecozone increases the risk of contaminant release into the area's extensive bog and fen peatlands. Lateral spreading, then upwards transport of solutes into the vadose zone of these moss‐dominated ecosystems, could be toxic to vegetation. To evaluate the rate and character of contaminant rise in a subarctic bog, vadose zone‐specific conductance and water content were measured in four hummocks ∼5 m downslope of a 45‐d 300‐mg L−1 NaCl release. Four 30‐cm‐deep hummock peat mesocosms were extracted adjacent to the release site for an unsaturated evaporation‐driven NaCl breakthrough experiment and subsequent parameterization. The field rate of solute accumulation was slower in near‐surface (0–5 cm) peat, where low water contents limited pore connectivity. Solute accumulation was reduced by downward flushing by rain, though this was lesser in near surface moss where solute remained held in small disconnected pores. In the laboratory, Cl− rise reached the 15‐cm depth in all mesocosms by Day 65. Sodium rise was 2.2 times slower, likely due to adsorption to the peat matrix. Rates of upwards solute movement were highly variable; the highest rates occurred in the mesocosm with small but hydrologically conductive pores near the surface, and the lowest occurred where vascular roots disrupted the physical structure of the peat. This research demonstrates that solute spilled into a bog peatland is likely to rise and be retained in the vadose zone. However, hydraulic and solute transport behaviors are sensitive to the vertical structure of peat, underscoring the need for extensive sampling and parameter characterization.

A practical testing approach to predict the geochemical hazards of in-pit coal mine tailings and rejects

Coal mining operations produce a large amount of coal spoil and tailing wastes that may cause environmental problems. Coal mine wastes can be returned to the mine by in-pit disposal of tailings, thereby reducing the environmental risk caused by the failure of tailing dam constructions. Geochemical characterization of coal mine wastes is important prior to in-pit disposal of the wastes because such disposal may result in the release of acid mine drainage, saline water, and heavy metals. The objectives of this study were to identify the major characteristics required to determine the feasibility of in-pit disposal of coal tailings and rejects and to provide simple experimental methods to better define the potential release, reactivity, and mobility of contaminants from tailings. Statistical analyses of data can alleviate the need for extensive sampling and chemical analyses of tailings to perform risk assessment on contaminant release. For this purpose a principal component analysis was used in this study and showed significant (greater than 0.7) loadings on the first component of selected ions, i.e. for Fe, Mn, S, pH, EC, acidity, and SO42−, which accounted for 26.3% of the total variance. Therefore, because the first component explains mainly acidity and related salts, the parameters of this component can be used as a proxy to compare different samples or different sites for potential acidity and salinity without the need to measure the remaining parameters. Repeated leaching tests on tailing samples of various chemical and physical properties have been performed and the electrical conductivities measured fitted well into a new variant of the shrink core model, which is suggested as a simple test method to predict the potential salinity generated by tailings. The results acquired from the statistical analysis and sequential leaching showed good agreement, and the procedures suggested will help better characterize and classify coal mine tailings and rejects for in-pit disposal.

Mystery within a fibroadenoma

Fibroadenomas (FA) are the most common benign biphasic neoplasms in young women. Occurrences of malignant changes within FA are rare. A 32-year-old female patient presented with a lump in the left breast since 1 month. On clinical and ultrasound examination, patient was diagnosed as having multiple FAs. Cytology revealed atypical cells and excision of the lump was suggested. Histopathological examination (HPE) of the lump diagnosed as infiltrating ductal carcinoma with FA. Patient thereafter underwent modified radical mastectomy and further treatment. Patient remained well on follow-up. The present case highlights the need for extensive sampling on fine-needle aspiration and conscientious search for malignancy during the HPE.

Macrocystic serous cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas: the first report of a new pattern of pancreatic carcinoma

Cystic pancreatic neoplasms are rare and include mucinous and microcystic cystadenoma (carcinomas) and the recently described macrocystic adenoma. Their accurate diagnosis is difficult by radiology, and histopathology remains the modality...

Seabird bycatch in the Brazilian pelagic longline fishery and a review of capture rates in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean

ESR Endangered Species Research Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials ESR 5:137-147 (2008) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00115 Seabird bycatch in the Brazilian pelagic longline fishery and a review of capture rates in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean Leandro Bugoni1, 2,*, Patricia L. Mancini1, Danielle S. Monteiro3, 4, Loretha Nascimento1, Tatiana S. Neves1 1Projeto Albatroz, Av. dos Bancários 76/22, Ponta da Praia, CEP 11030-300, Santos-SP, Brazil 2Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK 3Núcleo de Educação e Monitoramento Ambiental – NEMA, R. Maria Araújo 450, Cassino, CEP 96207-480, Rio Grande-RS, Brazil 4Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Laboratório de Elasmobrânquios e Aves Marinhas, C.P. 474, CEP 96201-900, Rio Grande-RS, Brazil *Email: l.bugoni.1@research.gla.ac.uk ABSTRACT: The southwestern Atlantic Ocean is an important foraging ground throughout the year for several albatross and petrel species. Longline fishing fleets in the region currently pose the main threat for this group of seabirds at sea, and conservation measures are urgently required. We present information on bycatch rates of seabirds in the Brazilian domestic pelagic longline fishery from 2001 to 2007, and review bycatch rates reported for the demersal and pelagic longline fisheries in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Overall seabird capture rate for the Brazilian pelagic longline fleet during 63 cruises (656 sets and 788446 hooks) was 0.229 birds per 1000 hooks, varying from 0 to 0.542 according to season. Capture rates were higher between June and November (cold season) and affected mainly the black-browed albatross Thalassarche melanophris (55% of birds captured), the white-chinned petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis, the spectacled petrel Procellaria conspicillata and the Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos. Capture rates previously reported in the SW Atlantic varied from 0 to 5.03 birds per 1000 hooks, with those reports based on logbooks or fishermen interviews tending to underestimate capture rates, whereas those based on small numbers of hooks or short time periods tend to greatly overestimate rates in both pelagic and demersal longline fisheries. Previous studies have played an important role in delimiting the seabird bycatch problem, forming a baseline for mitigation actions and serving as a guide for improvements in data collection. However, data collected by onboard seabird-dedicated observers are more reliable, provide a greater range of information relating to bycatch, and form a baseline for more robust analysis and addressing further questions. The current study highlights the stochastic nature of seabird fatalities in longline fisheries and the need for extensive sampling to obtain realistic estimates of capture rates covering different years, seasons, vessels, and the range of fishing gear and practices. KEY WORDS: Albatrosses · Petrels · Longline · Incidental capture · Review · Brazil · Fisheries Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Bugoni L, Mancini PL, Monteiro DS, Nascimento L, Neves TS (2008) Seabird bycatch in the Brazilian pelagic longline fishery and a review of capture rates in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Endang Species Res 5:137-147. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00115 Export citation Mail this link - Contents Mailing Lists - RSS Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in ESR Vol. 5, No. 2-3. Online publication date: December 23, 2008 Print ISSN: 1863-5407; Online ISSN: 1613-4796 Copyright © 2008 Inter-Research.

Seabird bycatch in the Brazilian pelagic longline fishery and a review of capture rates in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean

ESR Endangered Species Research Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials ESR 5:137-147 (2008) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00115 Seabird bycatch in the Brazilian pelagic longline fishery and a review of capture rates in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean Leandro Bugoni1, 2,*, Patricia L. Mancini1, Danielle S. Monteiro3, 4, Loretha Nascimento1, Tatiana S. Neves1 1Projeto Albatroz, Av. dos Bancários 76/22, Ponta da Praia, CEP 11030-300, Santos-SP, Brazil 2Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK 3Núcleo de Educação e Monitoramento Ambiental – NEMA, R. Maria Araújo 450, Cassino, CEP 96207-480, Rio Grande-RS, Brazil 4Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Laboratório de Elasmobrânquios e Aves Marinhas, C.P. 474, CEP 96201-900, Rio Grande-RS, Brazil *Email: l.bugoni.1@research.gla.ac.uk ABSTRACT: The southwestern Atlantic Ocean is an important foraging ground throughout the year for several albatross and petrel species. Longline fishing fleets in the region currently pose the main threat for this group of seabirds at sea, and conservation measures are urgently required. We present information on bycatch rates of seabirds in the Brazilian domestic pelagic longline fishery from 2001 to 2007, and review bycatch rates reported for the demersal and pelagic longline fisheries in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Overall seabird capture rate for the Brazilian pelagic longline fleet during 63 cruises (656 sets and 788446 hooks) was 0.229 birds per 1000 hooks, varying from 0 to 0.542 according to season. Capture rates were higher between June and November (cold season) and affected mainly the black-browed albatross Thalassarche melanophris (55% of birds captured), the white-chinned petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis, the spectacled petrel Procellaria conspicillata and the Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos. Capture rates previously reported in the SW Atlantic varied from 0 to 5.03 birds per 1000 hooks, with those reports based on logbooks or fishermen interviews tending to underestimate capture rates, whereas those based on small numbers of hooks or short time periods tend to greatly overestimate rates in both pelagic and demersal longline fisheries. Previous studies have played an important role in delimiting the seabird bycatch problem, forming a baseline for mitigation actions and serving as a guide for improvements in data collection. However, data collected by onboard seabird-dedicated observers are more reliable, provide a greater range of information relating to bycatch, and form a baseline for more robust analysis and addressing further questions. The current study highlights the stochastic nature of seabird fatalities in longline fisheries and the need for extensive sampling to obtain realistic estimates of capture rates covering different years, seasons, vessels, and the range of fishing gear and practices. KEY WORDS: Albatrosses · Petrels · Longline · Incidental capture · Review · Brazil · Fisheries Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Bugoni L, Mancini PL, Monteiro DS, Nascimento L, Neves TS (2008) Seabird bycatch in the Brazilian pelagic longline fishery and a review of capture rates in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Endang Species Res 5:137-147. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00115 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in ESR Vol. 5, No. 2-3. Online publication date: December 23, 2008 Print ISSN: 1863-5407; Online ISSN: 1613-4796 Copyright © 2008 Inter-Research.

Influence of landscape position and vegetation on long-term weathering rates at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, USA

The spatial variability of long-term chemical weathering in a small watershed was examined to determine the effect of landscape position and vegetation. We sampled soils from forty-five soil pits within an 11.8-hectare watershed at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire. The soil parent material is a relatively homogeneous glacial till deposited ∼14,000 years ago and is derived predominantly from granodiorite and pelitic schist. Conifers are abundant in the upper third of the watershed while the remaining portion is dominated by hardwoods. The average long-term chemical weathering rate in the watershed, calculated by the loss of base cations integrated over the soil profile, is 35 meq m −2 yr −1—similar to rates in other ∼10 to 15 ka old soils developed on granitic till in temperate climates. The present-day loss of base cations from the watershed, calculated by watershed mass balance, exceeds the long-term weathering rate, suggesting that the pool of exchangeable base cations in the soil is being diminished. Despite the homogeneity of the soil parent material in the watershed, long-term weathering rates decrease by a factor of two over a 260 m decrease in elevation. Estimated weathering rates of plagioclase, potassium feldspar and apatite are greater in the upper part of the watershed where conifers are abundant and glacial till is thin. The intra-watershed variability across this small area demonstrates the need for extensive sampling to obtain accurate watershed-wide estimates of long-term weathering rates.

Inter- and Intra-annual Variation in Milk Composition in Antarctic Fur Seals (Arctocephalus gazella)

The inter- and intra-annual variation in milk composition in Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) was investigated over three consecutive lactation periods (1990-1992) at Bird Island, South Georgia, which included one period of low food availability. One hundred and ninety-two milk samples were collected from 154 individuals. The mean milk composition was 40.5% ± 0.5% lipid, 10.4% ± 0.2% protein, 44.8% ± 0.6% water, 0.133% ± 0.0059% carbohydrate, and 0.694% ± 0.125% ash. Lipids contributed most (> 70%) of the gross energy of the milk. Water content could be used to predict lipid (r² = 0.83) and protein (r² = 0.13) content, but it could be used to predict gross energy content with the greatest accuracy of all (r² = 0.97). Stage of lactation, maternal mass, and year of sampling accounted for 27% of the observed variability in gross energy content. Following the perinatal period, milk lipid and gross energy content increased throughout lactation in all years, whereas water content decreased. Protein content decreased throughout lactation in 1990 but increased in the following 2 yr. Milk lipid and protein content decreased by as much as 14% and 5%, respectively, during each 1-2-d lactation bout. Minor, though significant, variation was found between the composition of milk collected from different mammae within individuals. The changes in composition observed both within and between lactation periods, and the level of inter- and intraindividual variation, emphasize the need for extensive sampling in order to describe adequately milk composition in otariids.

Melting of two-dimensional colloidal crystals: A simulation study of the Yukawa system

The two-dimensional melting transition of charged polystyrene spheres in aqueous colloidal suspension has been studied by molecular dynamics simulation of a screened Coulomb system. Some central predictions of the Kosterlitz–Thouless–Halperin–Nelson–Young theory of defect-mediated melting are confirmed, such as an apparent divergence of the correlation lengths for translational and bond-orientational order at different thermodynamic state points, but there are also predictions of the theory that are violated. The defect topology is very complex, with oscillation periods of the defect density of many million time steps duration. The need for extensive sampling and, to a lesser degree, the choice of potential function continue to be the crucial issues for any attempt to generate a hexatic structure by means of computer simulation.

The interpretation of noisy data from archaeological field survey: Phosphate analysis

High soil phosphate concentrations are commonly related to intense past human activity although full understanding of this relationship requires further research. At present, practical constraints in the field, the need for extensive sampling and for rapid results, leads to the archaeologist frequently using crude but portable techniques of chemical analysis. The problems associated with the collection and interpretation of archaeological soil phosphate data are discussed. The use of Bayesian change-point analysis is proposed as a suitable statistical aid to the interpretation of such data.